Capital One issues online security advice

Capital One Financial Corp. is offering online safety and shopping tips in honor of National Consumer Protection Week.

The banking and credit card company points to study that the number of identity fraud victims in 2009 jumped 12 percent from the previous year to 11.1 million adults. Because an increasing number of people are doing business online, Capital One is offering tips to prevent people from online fraud.

Keep Web browsers and operating systems up to date

Ignore suspicious emails and never click on links asking for personal information.

Watch out for charity scams. Instead of clicking on a link in an email solicitation, go directly to an organization’s Web site.

When entering payment information for online purchases, make sure the Web site’s URL address changes to shttp or https.

Be careful of advertisements on Facebook and Twitter. Go directly to a retailers Web site if you are interested in an advertised deal.

Don’t respond to emails that ask for account information or a social security number.